This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25). Read on Shabbat, August 16, 2025 / 22 Av 5785. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands” (Deuteronomy 8:2).
As Moses spoke to the people on the edge of the Promised Land, he reminded them that every step of their journey had purpose. The wilderness was not wasted time; it was the training ground for faith.
God provided manna when they were hungry, water when they were thirsty, and forgiveness when they strayed. Every hardship was an opportunity to see His steadfast love and to shape their hearts for the life ahead.
The wilderness, in biblical language, is more than a place of trial; it is the classroom of God. It strips away the comforts and distractions that often dull our awareness of Him.
In the silence of the desert, the Israelites could no longer rely on Egypt’s provision or their own strength; they had to learn dependence on the One who sustained them. This is why Moses calls them to remember, not just the miracles, but the tests, the hunger, and the daily dependence on bread from heaven.
In our own lives, wilderness seasons may come in the form of uncertainty, loss, waiting, or unanswered prayers. We may be tempted to see them only as obstacles to overcome.
Yet often, these are the seasons where God does His deepest work, shaping our character, refining our priorities, and revealing whether we truly trust Him when the road is long and the destination unclear.
The absence of quick solutions forces us to look to His daily provision. And when we remember these seasons after they have passed, we see how His faithfulness never faltered.
If you are in such a season now, take heart. God is not absent. He is teaching you something about His nature and your heart that you could not learn in the abundance of the Promised Land.
And if you are walking in a time of blessing, do not forget the lessons of the wilderness. Gratitude and humility are the companions that will keep you steady when blessings increase.
In your own life, think about a time when God led you through uncertainty. Perhaps you did not see the full plan, but in hindsight you can trace His hand in the small provisions and unexpected turns.
The lesson of the wilderness is that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our comfort; it is constant whether the landscape is fertile or dry.
This week, look for ways to remember God’s past care. Write it down, share it with someone, or speak it in prayer. Gratitude will anchor your heart when the path feels unclear.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for leading me even when I do not understand. Help me remember Your goodness and trust You in every season. Amen.
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